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Rosen

During a closed-door fundraiser in Florida, Ann Romney described Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen’s recent criticism of her choosing to be a stay-at-home mother as an “early birthday present,” according to a report by NBC News.

While speaking at the fundraiser for her husband Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, Ann Romney told the audience that Rosen’s slam was a boon to her and her husband’s campaign.

“It was my early birthday present for someone to be critical of me as a mother, and that was really a defining moment, and I loved it,” Romney said.

Mitt Romney, speaking after his wife, also said that the media’s nonstop coverage of Rosen’s criticism, along with the ensuing “war on moms,” was a “gift” in the early stages of his general election push.

Rosen, who is unaffiliated with President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, caused a political firestorm last week when she criticized Romney for turning to his wife, who has “never worked a day in her life,” for advice on women’s economic concerns. While the Obama camp was quick to distance itself from the controversial remarks, the Romney camp seized on the remarks and turned it into a fundraising push and rallying cry.

“My career choice was to be a mother, and I think all of us need to know that we need to respect the choices women make,” Ann Romney told Fox News last week.